Which of these can be hidden costs customers encounter when shopping online? (Check all that apply.)

Multiple select question.

Handling costs

Current sales tax

Concerns about fraud

Retail price

1 answer

When shopping online, customers can encounter the following hidden costs:

  • Handling costs: These may not be explicitly stated and can increase the total cost of the purchase.
  • Current sales tax: Depending on the state or region, sales tax may be applied only at checkout, and customers may not be aware of this cost beforehand.
  • Concerns about fraud: While not a direct financial cost, concerns about the security of personal and payment information can be considered a hidden cost in terms of peace of mind and potential risks.

Retail price is generally not considered a hidden cost since it is usually visible before checkout.

So the applicable options are Handling costs, Current sales tax, and Concerns about fraud.